100 Years of Woodlawn Lake Park

While San Antonio celebrates its tricentennial,
Woodlawn Lake Park marks its 100th anniversary

By Edmond Ortiz

Photo Courtesy City of San Antonio

San Antonio is celebrating its tricentennial this year, but it’s not the only major anniversary—100 years ago, Julia Anderson deeded ownership of the land that includes Woodlawn Lake Park to the city.

The gift, made by the widow of W.P. Anderson, one of three original developers of the Woodlawn Lake neighborhood, opened the recreation area up to the public for the first time. It’s since become a mainstay in San Antonio and this month hosts the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

Before it was a park, W.P. Anderson helped turn 1,000 acres of pastureland west of downtown into one of San Antonio’s first suburbs. The development included a dam across Alazan Creek, creating a large lake that supplied two local wells and was a popular recreational scene in the early 20th century. A group called the West End Improvement Club, dedicated to community revitalization, successfully proposed changing the area’s name to Woodlawn Lake.

The city has since added to the 62-acre West Side park with various amenities, including a 1.5-mile walking trail, eight interactive fitness equipment stations, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a gym. Along with the Independence Day event, the park hosts Fiesta Earth Day and Día de los Muertos festivals and countless community and family picnics

The Woodlawn Lake Community Association is planning a centennial celebration in October. The association and the city also partnered to turn a plot of land into a native plants garden on the park’s west end as a lasting commemoration of the occasion.

City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, whose district includes the park, says Woodlawn Lake Park has been a treasure for generations of West Side residents. “Woodlawn Lake Park has always been valued by the West Side community,” she says. “Now in its 100th year, the rest of the city is really taking notice of this vibrant area.”

3 Reasons to Visit: The Official San Antonio Fourth of July Celebration, July 4, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free Fitness in the Park Crossfit, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. in the gym; Aqua Zumba, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. in the pool